Funding and offers to help your business grow
From a choice of grant funding specialists suited to your business, to exclusive offers from partners across the First Connections network.
Your choice
of specialists from across our network
£0
cost to register your interest
0 - 0
business days until you typically hear back
How does it work?
Four steps, from a short form to a choice of specialists. No jargon, no obligation, no forms longer than they need to be.
- 01
Register your interest
The short form below: a few details about your business and what you’re hoping to fund.
- 02
Options from our network
We look at what you’re hoping to fund and put forward several grant funding specialists from our network who suit it.
- 03
Introductions
We put you in touch, so you can talk through your goals and eligibility with each of them.
- 04
You decide
Compare how each one works and what they charge, then choose who to go ahead with. There’s no obligation to pick any.
Who’s it for?
North East businesses at every stage. If any of these sound like you, there’s likely a scheme worth a conversation.
Start-ups & early-stage founders
Pre-revenue or just getting going, there are schemes designed for exactly this stage.
Established SMEs & scale-ups
Growth, innovation and capital investment funding for trading businesses stepping up.
Charities, CICs & social enterprises
Community and social-impact funding, from small local pots to national programmes.
Manufacturers & industrial businesses
Made Smarter, decarbonisation and process improvement schemes built for makers.
Net-zero & decarbonisation projects
Retrofit, renewables and energy efficiency funding, from small upgrades to major schemes.
Not sure you fit?
Register anyway. Working out where you fit is exactly what the first conversation is for, and registering costs nothing.
Register your interest →Let’s find the funding you’re eligible for
Tell us a little about your business and we’ll give you a choice of grant funding specialists from our network.
Why register through First Connections
- Free to register
- Several specialists to choose from, not a single referral
- Built for the North East
- Confidential and no obligation
Prefer email? hello@first-connections.co.uk
Questions about funding
Does it cost anything to explore?
No. Registering your interest is free and there's no obligation. If you go ahead with an application, whichever specialist you choose will be clear about how they work and any fees before you commit to anything.
Do I need to attend the coffee mornings to use this?
No. There's no membership at First Connections and nothing to join. Funding support is open to any North East business, whether or not you've ever been to an event.
What kind of grants can I get help with?
Any kind. Innovation and R&D schemes, regional growth, decarbonisation, community funding, small local pots and major projects: nothing is off the table. We give you several options from our network of grant funding specialists, each suited to what you're hoping to fund, and they work out what your business is eligible for.
Do you recommend one provider?
No. We put forward more than one grant funding specialist from our network so you can compare them, and the choice of who to work with is yours. There's no obligation to go ahead with any of them.
Who sees my details?
Your submission goes to the First Connections team, who share it with the grant funding specialists from our network that we put forward for your enquiry. It isn't shared with anyone else and doesn't add you to a marketing list.
How quickly will I hear back?
Typically within 1 to 2 business days. After that, timescales depend on the grant scheme, and the specialists will give you an honest picture when you speak.
Offers from around the network
Deals and support from partners across the First Connections network. Open to everyone in the community, no membership required.
Ironing & laundry service
The Ironing Man
10% off ironing and laundry for the First Connections community
How to claim: Quote code NCL10 when booking. We're confirming the final code with the partner.
Business tools bundle
Business Service Hub
Bookkeeping software, Microsoft 365, cyber security, Dropbox and four hours of chartered accountant support a year, for £24.99 a month + VAT
How to claim: Email hello@first-connections.co.uk and we'll get you set up.
Workspace & business support
North East BIC
A free co-working day pass, plus 10% off your first meeting room booking
Workspace across Sunderland, Darlington and Washington from the not-for-profit that's helped over 7,000 people start businesses.
How to claim: Book through ne-bic.co.uk and mention First Connections.
Local community app
Roam
Local news, offers and events in one free app, plus listings for local businesses
How to claim: Download Roam free on the App Store or Google Play.
Technology & business improvement
SurgoTech Solutions
A free one-hour discovery call, or 40% off a business process audit (£895 down to £537)
How to claim: Visit their website and mention First Connections.